Ethan Talks to Animals: Be Brave, Scared Shirley

by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 8:40 pm

Book by Nico Waters

Review by Pennell Paugh

June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego author Nico Waters has added another book to her Ethan Talks to Animals series. This one is titled, Be Brave, Scared Shirley.

In second grade, Ethan wished on his birthday to be able to understand what animals think and say.

When Ethan meets with friend, Jay, he asks why Jay is carrying Shirley the chicken. Shirley, won’t leave Jay’s side because a larger chicken at the farm bullies and pecks her.

Ethan tries to help animals using his ability to communicate with them. However, the big chicken isn’t willing her bad behavior! Can Ethan help Scared Shirley be brave?

The books in Ethan Talks to Animals offer discussion questions for readers to learn how to problem solve and to understand the point of view of the other person’s point of view when they have a disagreement with someone else.

In Be Brave, Scared Shirley, the book also describes the care and housing of chickens. Most important, it advises how to keep chickens from getting bored.

Nico Waters has published five children’s educational fiction books with Capstone and six with Saddleback Educational Publishing. Besides writing books, Nico enjoys making greeting cards and searching online for great dinner and dessert recipes. She lives in San Diego with her husband.

Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/ethan-talks-to-animals-be-brave-scared-shirley/